Alex K

These Blue cored Ek, are very nice, I believe that it was a chemical process where the core was heated to a high degree and then dropped into a vat of heavy engine oil (From my mechanical engineering school days!), which gave it the colour and finish indicated, lasts far better than the usual paint job. nice crosses regards Alex K

I agree the hinge attachment is decidedly dodgy in my opinion, not from 1870 series. Alex K

If these are genuine then they are a different shape, more akin to WWII Unfortunately don't remember which site I found it

reverse Edit apparently this has been discussed on another web-site and it appears to be total plonk. however it is a reasonable example of an imperial style of PLM oaks

Here's one for sale on e-bay at the moment $36000, authenticity, anyones guess regards

regards

An interesting exhibition, I have the book "The Russian War" which includes many photo's of soviet wartime photographers including numerous ones by Yevgeni attached the man himself from the book regards Alex K

so I was only slightly, seriously wrong

Did I get it THAT wrong!

It's Royal Hungarian order of Saint Stephan, 1914-18, perhaps others could elaborate regards Alex edit Good old Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Sain...phen_of_Hungary

Yes I did, sorry a typo error regards Alex

Just to add to the information overload, a BMVO 5th class with swords by Jacob Lesser. Alex K

The reverse does not seem to dis-similar to my EK1 from 1914-18 The shape of the pin on the 1870 EK would suggest, in my opinion pre 1914 at least regards Alex

You may find this link useful http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=34267 scroll down to the list of manufacturers and their numbers regards Alex

Better one, looks like a Steinhaur & Luck regards Alex

Sorry a bad fake. I hope you didn't pay a lot for it. I would suggest you study other EK's if that's your main interest on this and other forums, that way you will eventually gain an instinct which will help you, although not fool proof. By studying other posters decorations, you may begin to recognise certain features of both original and fake items and avoid the pitfalls, unfortunately most of us have bought lemons in the past, so you're not alone regards Alex K

I have this one, includes a superb EK1, no motif on the front though regards Alex

Judging by the size, I'm suprised it didn't adorn the neck of "Collect a gong Hermann" Goering that is, one he missed I'm sure regards

Just for interest an 1870 version, slightly damages unfortunately

Never seen an eagle like that before, If you came across one in an antique stall today, you'd say it was a fake! IMO regards Alex K

Beautiful example of the award, I am intrigued by this photo, what period would it have been taken? he wears a uniform reminiscent of a "Soviet" appearance, yet wears royal Bulgarian awards together with an EK11 from WW1? regards Alex K

The SS general is Robert Bergemann regards Alex k

I wonder what she does with all these now defunct baubles from totalitarian, or other here today, gone tomorrow regimes? , she must have suitcases full of them, Ceausescu is another prime example, does she say, "Nasty man, in the bin with it" sorry to sound flippant, but it makes you wonder. BTW a very nice example of?a?much?under-rated?area?of?interest regards Alex K

They're at it as well now are they?!! ?It's history for pity's sake BTW nice cross, hope the thought police don't pounce on me for saying so Alex K

Hi David, I'll try to do that for future reference. I will not of course consign it to the trash can but put it with the other unfortunates I have collected over the years regards Alex